If you recall back in April it was reported in the local newspaper that:
"Carver Center is being considered as a possible home for a Magic Johnson Bridgescape learning center program, which is designed for urban high school students who have dropped out, or who are at risk of doing so, but who want to earn a high school diploma.The Bridgescape center program, if enacted in Peoria, would be the first in Illinois. The program was formed last year through a collaboration between Magic Johnson Enterprises, founded in 1987 by former Los Angeles Lakers great Earvin "Magic" Johnson, and EdisonLearning, a leading international educational service provider."
News that former Superintendent of PSD150, Ken Hinton is taking over Carver Center, renews hope that the Magic Johnson Bridgescape learning program could indeed find a home here in Peoria. It's certainly a plus that Mr. Hinton is also a former regional vice president for Edison Schools.
One familiar face in Peoria is making a re-emergence to civic duty.
The call to action came when the doors at one local community center shut last year.
Former district 150 Superintendent Ken Hinton has long been known for educating young minds in the city of Peoria. Now Hinton is taking on a new job as Interim Director at Carver Center. His challenge reopening the center which closed last September due when the money ran out.
For months Hinton and a core group of supporters have worked behind the scenes gathering information to put into expanded activities he hopes will serve diverse groups. Right now the focus is on trying to get the building repaired which could costs up to $2 million.
For months Hinton and a core group of supporters have worked behind the scenes gathering information to put into expanded activities he hopes will serve diverse groups. Right now the focus is on trying to get the building repaired which could costs up to $2 million.
Hinton realizes that turning George Washington Carver Center into a world class facility will take time but he's preparing a business model he says will support programs in his absence.
Carver Center hopes to get a sizable portion of tax increment financing money from the city of Peoria. Hinton says collaboration with other groups will be a big part of the agency's success. He's reached out to the United Way to restore funding the agency had lost and plans to seek more financial help through grants.
Hinton credits his family with a lesson he learned long time ago...serving others and he believes reopening these doors again will show residents what kind of valuable asset the center can become.
30 comments:
Ken Hinton is going to be running the Carver Center. Who decided that? No one ever learns from history in this city.
Maybe he got it by default. I cannot believe this city would hire a person from Mapleton to run the Carver Center. Remember, he had to retired being superintendent because of his "bad back" and family illness...we all thought he "retired" because he didn't have a clue as to what this job involved. Just sayin
Let's stop the "Hinton Hating Brigade". Mr. Hinton is not being paid for this position. He is a Peorian and is giving back to a community that has given to him. You haters, find something else to boost your ego. Ken Hinton doesn't deserve your vindictive comments.
Most likely, those of you who are bashing him have no idea where Carver Center is. Stay off the man's back!!! He will and has always made a difference.
Hinton comments moved from ELITE post to Hinton post.
I, as a teacher who worked under Superintendent Hinton, am here to say YAY! I have heard such great things about Mr. Hinton in his pre-superintendent days and much of it was how he cared about the kids. To come out of retirement and put the time and effort into a project such as this helps me believe he really does care about Peoria youth. I am glad someone is working to make a place where kids will be safe and learn some important lessons outside of school. I wish nothing but the best to Mr. Hinton and the Carver Center.
It isn't any wonder that Dist 150 used the Edison Program since he was a former regional vice president for Edison. Did he get paid extra from Edison for them using Edison when he was Superintendent?
The Magic Johnson Center sounds like a great idea. If Mr. Hinton can help make that happen, I wish him well. Five or so years ago, wasn't the buzz that the restructured Manual would be world class. I think I remember that it was said that people from around the world would come to see the model in action and want to copy it. Has the world come yet?
Most people are hung up on the phrase "World-Class". In essence it means creativity, innovation, fidelity. A "world-class" program has references to these adjectives. Initiatives that are viewed as "world-class" mean they can be replicated globally. As you know, without fidelity, this can never happen. Due to polictical and financial restraints I have seen very few programs that have acquired that status, with one exception,Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Center where Ken Hinton was the Principal for years. Now take that!!!
Mr. Hinton had nothing to do with bringing Edison to town. It was not under his Administration when the decision was made by the Board. The late John Garrett was Superintendent. Mr. Hinton worked for Edison after the program had been in Peoria for atleast 8 years. He only worked for Edison a short time. When he worked for Edison the District was already under a contract with the company.
Making statements when one is not fully informed is not fair to anyone.
Ken Hinton built the program at Valeska, was given free rein by the BOE at the time, to model it after 6 or 7 others in the countries. He did an excellent job.
Peoria should be glad somebody of Ken Hinton's abilities has taken over the Carver Center. I was sad when it closed because of all the opportunities missed for young people in Peoria. Ken Hinton also has an excellent rapport with Peoria's youth, and will do a great job!
PLUS he is a gentle man with VERY soft hands.
Haha. Hinton, a gentle man with soft hands? You evidently have not seen him in action. He led by fear and intimidation when he worked for 150. Hinton was in way over his head as superintendent. His stress level was over the top and he couldn't even go to work! Tax payers paid for him to stay at home. When he was at Harrison, there was a no confidence vote to get him out!
At one time I gave Hinton a chance, but he proved to me he lacks true leadership skills. Ken Hinton does not pay taxes in Peoria and does not live in Peoria. Maybe we should ask him why.
Was Hinton cleared in the Mary Davis cover up?
What does paying taxes in 150 have do with Carver Center? Ken Hinton is a private citizen who grew up in Peoria and wants to give back to his community by taking on a challenge to revitalize the community he loves. Again, this is not a paid position. He is putting himself out there to help.
When people are in leadership positions, they expect the criticisms that are thrown at them. Those whoost who crictize have never or can ever walk a mile in their shoes.
I applaud Ken Hinton and others for taking on the Carver Center project. The naysayers will rip Ken up one side and down the others. However, those of us who have known and worked for him know that he's the man for the job. So glad he's back!
I've met Ken and like him. But I wonder how really effective he was...
I don't see any reason to throw stones at Ken Hinton. First, being superintendent of schools and director of Carver Center are two very different positions. Ken is doing this for free--if we find out he is making a huge salary (from what fund I wouldn't know)then we could cry foul. Yes, Ken was, I believe, cleared in the Mary Davis case. I am sure there is a chance that he could have been ill 4 years ago and better now--I'm certainly hoping that healing is possible. Personally, I have never doubted that Ken cares about kids--Carver center is a good place for him to do what he couldn't do as superintendent--work with kids on a one-to-one basis.
I wish him the best...
Ken Hinton did me wrong with his heavy handed approach to a problem with another employee. I was called in to give testimony only to be branded as a theft. If it wasn't for Terry Knapps leadership I would have been fired for something I didn't do... Ken Hinton doesn't get my vote of confidenence..
There are few in our community who value children above self - Ken is certainly one. Although I disagreed with him on a number of issues,his dedication to children and our community is unwavering. I fully support his desires to uplift our children and I look forward to supporting him as he instills in all a sense of hope and with us all opens opportunities for them. Support - Time, effort, energy, and $$$$. Let's give him the benefit of them all. The Carver Community is a deep river ready to rise!
God forbid that we as mere mortals can make mistakes in our judgment and decisions and people don't forgive. Mr. Hinton doesn't need your vote of confidence. You need to forgive and move on. Life is much too short to hold grudges.
So Penn State should not be held accountable for how they handled Jerry Sandusky according to your philosophy?
I was fortunate enough to work for KEN FOR MANY years. carver Center will be in great hands. He never ever ruled by fear, he always gave everyone a cahnce unless you mistreated children in any way. It is all about the children for Ken. The Valeska Hinton Center was a dream of his, Dr. Strand Mary Ann Randle, Sany Burke and countless others. I worked at Valeska for seven years and it was a dream job, once he left he lost some of it's magic. Ken will do a wonderful job.
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Do you think the School Board meetings will ever convene at Carver Center? Just saying.
Very creepy undertone there, Anonymous! Don't accuse or suggest anything.
Just saying what?
Just saying: If the Magic Johnson Foundation comes to fruition as one of the programs at Carver, there will be a need for educational collaboration with PSD 150. So, Carver will be a site for these "traveling meetings. The meetings will be in the "heart of the matter."
They probably will not need to collaborate if 150 did not agree to be involved with the Magic Johnson School and from what i have heard that is the case.
Valeska was a great and wonderful place until Diane Duke took over and ruined it. And it won't get any better with Lathan as Supt either.
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